Archive for the 'Patrick Larimore' Tag Under 'UCLA' Category

December 31st, 2012, 4:28 pm by Ryan Kartje, The Orange County Register

Alas, less than eight hours remain in 2012 -- a year that will likely be remembered by UCLA fans for its resurgences and its digressions. Maybe it'll be remembered as a year of hope, the year the UCLA football program emerged again or the year the Bruins signed the nation's top recruiting class. Maybe it'll be remembered for questions about Ben Howland's job and control over a program that was slipping. Regardless, 2012 was a year of change, a year of new faces and old questions.

So what better way to chronicle such an interesting year than another year-end list. Sure, you've read a billion of them by now. But, let's be honest, who doesn't love a good list?

As your new UCLA beat writer for 2013, I look forward to seeing where the next year takes us on this blog and in our UCLA coverage. Feel free to email me at rkartje@ocregister.com if you've got your own suggestions. But December 31 is a day of looking back, and that's what will do right now.

So for your reading pleasure, after the jump, here are the top 12 people, stories, and headlines that dominated UCLA's 2012 sports year:

12. UCLA baseball established itself as elite, advances to College World Series

The final grades are in for the 2011 season, the last in the Neuheisel era, and it isn't pretty.

Unlike the NCAA, the Register is not granting any waivers for the Bruins' 6-8 season.

So here we go:

OFFENSE

The good: UCLA was third in the Pac-12 in rushing offense, averaging 190.7 yards per game during the regular season on the ground. Junior tailback Johnathan Franklin's 6.0 yards per carry was fourth best in a Pac-12 loaded with top class running backs. Derrick Coleman's 11 rushing TDs was also the fourth best total in the conference. Quarterback KevinPrince's ability to run also gave the Bruin offense a valuable added dimension.

Previewing UCLA training camp with a look at an out-of-the-spotlight veteran:

LB Sean Westgate

UCLA's most reliable linebacker last year was also its most overlooked. That could prove true again with the return of MLB Patrick Larimore and the expected development of SLB Jordan Zumwalt. In 2010, Westgate was first on the team in tackles for losses (11), tied for first in sacks (4) and second in total tackles (90). Also a valuable asset on special teams, the senior has appeared in 37 out of a possible 37 games during his career and will likely be one of the four team captains come September.

The question posed to Coach Rick Neuheisel was simple: What should UCLA fans expect to see in Saturday's spring game?

Neuheisel, never one to underplay his team, offered two promises. The second was simple, while the first might be the barometer by which Bruins supporters measure the entire spring, fairly or not.

"I think they're going to see, hopefully, an explosive offense," Neuheisel said, "one that's capable of making a lot of big plays. I think they're going to see an energized defense, people that are flying around, a lot of youth and exuberance."

So will we actually see explosiveness Saturday?

I'd venture to say there will be flashes. (I know, way to go out on a limb, huh?) UCLA's offense has gotten the best of the defense in two of three scrimmages this spring. A potentially big factor in this one could be center Kai Maiava (ankle), who is questionable, while two other starters on the offensive line are already out.

Linebackers coach Clark Lea said his top two priorities are identifying UCLA's three best linebackers, and who's best at each position. In that order.

Now here's the biggest challenge: Lea's two best options from 2010 aren't available. With Akeem Ayers gone to the NFL and junior Patrick Larimore sidelined by a shoulder injury, the Bruins have spent the past three weeks mixing and matching.

Jordan Zumwalt, as he was for the final third of last season, has been the man in the middle. The Edison High product said it is ideally where he would play. Just don't expect to see him there when fall practice begins.

“When you draw up the Mike (middle) linebacker, in terms of demeanor and playing physical football, in a lot for ways you draw up Patrick,” Lea said. “He has a presence.”

The 6-3, 253-pound Larimore was having an all-conference type season before dislocating his shoulder last October. He's expected to make a full recovery by summer. While Lea said he's not shutting the door on Zumwalt playing inside in the fall, he forewarned the 6-4, 230-pound sophomore to keep an eye on the strong-side and has given him occasional reps there this spring.

True freshman Jordan Zumwalt became UCLA's starting middle linebacker after injuries sidelined Patrick Larimore and Steve Sloan. Larimore is not returning as he has decided to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. Sloan, however, returned Sunday.

And Zumwalt is still the starter.

"He was productive in the (Oregon State) game," linebackers coach Clark Lea said. "He made plays for us when we needed it. There's something to be said for that."

The Edison High-product started for the first time against Oregon State and collected a team-high nine tackles and a sack. The week before he had six tackles and made a pivotal third-down sack in the fourth quarter to give UCLA against Arizona. His three sacks are tied for third on the team.

UCLA will need his playmaking to replace Larimore, who has a team-high three forced fumbles and is third on the Bruins with five tackles for loss. Lea said Zumwalt is still in the early stages in his command of the scheme and being an on-field general. Yet there are also notable advantages to having him on the field.

Larimore, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season, has been unable to play since dislocating his left shoulder in UCLA's loss at No. 1 Oregon Oct. 21.

Meanwhile in Seattle a decision is expected on Tuesday on whether Washington quarterback Jake Locker will be available for Thursday night's game with UCLA at Husky Stadium. Locker, who has a rib injury, has practiced in recent days but has not been medically cleared to play.